Light assembly for attachment to a surface of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A light assembly for attachment to a surface of a vehicle includes a light head having a light including a flood light mode and a spot light mode, a light head terminal in electrical communication with the light, and a first mounting structure. A vehicle base is configured to be removably coupled to the surface of the vehicle. The vehicle base includes a second structure configured to mate with the first mounting structure such that the light head can be removably secured on the vehicle base, and a base terminal configured to mate with the terminal of the light head to provide power to the light when the light head is secured on the vehicle base. A remote is configured to control rotation of the light about first and second axes and to control operation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application claiming priority to U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/140,682 filed on Sep. 25,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,493,901, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/562,897 filed on Sep. 25, 2017,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/727,303 filed on Sep. 5,2018, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to light assemblies, and more particularlyto light assemblies that are mountable on vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles sometimes included mounted lights to allow an operator toilluminate a work area. Mounted lights can produce a spot light toilluminate one specific area of the work area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a light assembly forattachment to a surface of a vehicle. The light assembly comprises alight head including a light including a flood light mode and a spotlight mode, a light head terminal in electrical communication with thelight, and a first mounting structure. The assembly further comprises avehicle base configured to be removably coupled to the surface of thevehicle. The vehicle base includes a second structure configured to matewith the first mounting structure such that the light head can beremovably secured on the vehicle base, and a base terminal configured tomate with the terminal of the light head to provide power to the lightwhen the light head is secured on the vehicle base. The light assemblyfurther comprises a remote to wirelessly control the light. The light isrotatable relative to the vehicle base about a first axis and about asecond axis that is different from the first axis while the light headis secured on the vehicle base. The remote is configured to controlrotation of the light about the first and second axes and to controloperation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a light assembly forattachment to a surface of a vehicle. The light assembly comprises alight head including a light including a plurality of light emittingdiodes and a lens. The lens has a plurality of total internal reflectionlenses. The light head also includes a light head terminal in electricalcommunication with the light, and a first mounting structure. The lightassembly further comprises a vehicle base configured to be coupled tothe surface of the vehicle. The vehicle base includes a second structureconfigured to mate with the first mounting structure such that the lighthead can be removably secured on the vehicle base, and a base terminalconfigured to mate with the terminal of the light head to provide powerto the light when the light head is secured on the vehicle base. Thelight assembly further comprises a remote to wirelessly control thelight.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a light assemblyfor attachment to a surface of a vehicle. The light assembly comprises avehicle base configured to be coupled to the surface of the vehicle, anda light including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a lens. Thelens has a plurality of total internal reflection lenses. The light isrotatable relative to the vehicle base about a first axis and about asecond axis that is different from the first axis.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent byconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a light assembly.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3. is a front perspective view of a light unit of the lightassembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 4. is a rear perspective view of the light unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light unit of FIG. 3 with portionsremoved.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the light unit of FIG. 3 withportions removed.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a mount of the light assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the mount of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the underside of the mount of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery for powering the lightassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1 withthe battery mounted into the light assembly.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1 mounted toa vehicle for use at a worksite.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mount of the light assembly of FIG. 1with a wire harness.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the wire harness of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a remote of the light assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a light assemblywith a light head secured in a first base.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the first base of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the light head of FIG. 16 secured in asecond base.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the second base of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the second base of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a light of the light head of FIG. 16.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a reflector of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a reflector of the light of FIG.26.

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective view of a lens of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of a lens of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a lens of the light of FIG. 26.

FIG. 34 is a plan view of a remote for the light assembly of FIGS.16-33.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of the light head being secured in the first baseof FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 38.

FIG. 41 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 43 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 42.

FIG. 45 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 42.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 47 is a plan view of the light head being secured in the first baseof FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 46.

FIG. 49 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 46.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 51 is a plan view of the light head being secured in the first baseof FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 50.

FIG. 53 is a plan view of the light head being released from the firstbase of FIG. 50.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 55 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of complimentarymounting structures of a light head and a first base.

FIG. 57 is a plan view of the light head secured in the first base ofFIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is a plan view of the light head being removed from the firstbase of FIG. 56.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a light head mounted in a first baseaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a first housing portion of the lighthead of FIG. 59.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a light assembly 10 that is mountable to avehicle is provided. The light assembly 10 includes a light unit 14 thatis selectively mounted in a mount 18. The light unit 14 and the mount 18are both made of robust materials to permit the light assembly 10 towithstand 24/7 exposure to harsh environmental conditions over the lifeof the light assembly 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light unit 14includes a base 22 and a head 26 with a light source 30 including a lenscovering a plurality of LEDs (not shown). The head 26 also includes aheat sink 34 to dissipate heat while the light source 30 is in use. Insome embodiments, the heat sink 34 is enclosed within a housing of thehead 26, rather than being exposed. The base 22 defines a battery packrecess 38 with battery contacts 42. The base 22 includes two matingedges 46 that are configured to facilitate mounting the base 22 withinthe mount 18. The base 22 also includes a handle 50 so an operator maycarry the light unit 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pedestal 54 is rotatably coupled to the base 22.The pedestal 54 is capable of rotating 370 degrees about a first axis 58defined by the pedestal 54. The pedestal 54 includes a bracket 62 withtwo arms 66 that define a second axis 70. The head 26 is coupled to thepedestal 54 via the arms 66. In some embodiments, the head 26 ispivotable with respect to pedestal 54 about the second axis 70 over arange of 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the head 26 is pivotable withrespect to the pedestal 54 over a range of 270 or more degrees. In someembodiments, the head 26 includes a semi-circular portion 74 with atoothed edge and the pedestal 54 includes a pinion gear 78 engageablewith teeth (not shown) of the toothed edge to permit the head 26 topivot about the second axis 70.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the mount 18 defines a recess 82 to receive thebase 22 of the light unit 14. The mount 18 includes a quick releaseactuator 86 and mechanism (not shown) to decouple the base 22 from themount 18 when an operator desires to remove the light unit 14 from themount 18. As shown in FIG. 8, within the recess 82, two laterallyextending grooves 90 are defined which are configured to slideablyreceive the mating edges 46 of the base 22 when the base 22 is mountedwithin the mount 18.

As shown in FIG. 9, the mount 18 includes a plurality of vacuum cups 94to facilitate attachment to a surface, such as the surface of a vehicleor a surface of an extension of the vehicle, such as a bucket 102 shownin FIG. 12. The mount 18 can also include magnets (not shown) and/orrubber pads (not shown) in lieu of or in combination with the vacuumcups 94 to facilitate attachment to the surface of the vehicle 98. Ifvacuum cups 94 are employed, the mount 18 can include two shanks 106 tofacilitate release of the vacuum cups 94 in order to decouple the mount18 from the surface. In some embodiments, the mount 18 is hard-mountedto a surface via bolts or fasteners, thus allowing a more permanentmounting arrangement on a surface.

As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, a battery pack 110 can be usedto power the light source 30 of the light unit 14. As shown in FIG. 11,the battery 110 can be locked in the light assembly 10 when the lightunit 14 is mounted to the mount 18. In some embodiments, the batterypack 110 is a power tool battery pack that is capable of being used inother power tools. In some embodiments, the battery pack 110 is builtinto and not removable from the light unit 14 or the mount 18. In someembodiments, the battery pack is a 12V, 18V, 40V, 60V, 80V or 120Vbattery pack. In some embodiments, when a non-12V battery pack 110 isused, electronics (not shown) in the light unit can up-convert the 12VDC into the battery voltage or down-convert the battery pack voltage forconstant light output across voltages. In some embodiments, the LEDs ofthe light source 30 are capable of receiving multiple voltages, allowingthe light output to vary based on the source. A series of conductivewires (not shown) electrically couple the battery pack 110 to the lightsource 30. In some embodiments, a slip ring is employed in the pedestal54 to permit the pedestal 54 to continuously rotate with respect to thebase 22. In other words, the pedestal 54 can rotate 360 degrees in onedirection with respect to the base 22 and then continue rotating.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the mount 18 ishardwired to provide power to the light source 30. For example, a wireharness 112 electrically couples the mount 18 to either the terminals ofa vehicle battery or to the vehicle's cigarette plug. Thus, when thelight unit 14 is mounted in the mount 18, the light source 30 can bepowered from the vehicle, via the mount 18, rather than from the battery110. For example, when the light unit 14 is mounted to the mount 18, thelight source 30 can be powered by a 12V DC line in of the mount 18 thatis electrically coupled to the vehicle through the harness 112. In allembodiments, the mount 18 is capable of utilizing the wiring harness112, but not every mount 18 needs to be hardwired because an operatorhas the option of using battery pack 110. The light assembly 10 isweatherproof either through use of a cover when the light unit 14 is notmounted on the mount 18, or a weatherproof connector.

As shown in FIG. 12, the light assembly 10 is schematically shown beingmounted to a bucket 102 on a boom arm 114 of a vehicle 118. In manyinstances, power utility linemen, municipalities, and utilitycontractors face situations that require them to survey a work area 122while in their vehicle 118 in order to find out what is causing anelectrical outage. The light source 30 is capable of generating a floodlight 126 over the entire work area 122 and is also capable ofgenerating a long-distance spot light 130 capable of illuminatingspecific areas that are a significant distance away from the lightassembly 10. The flood light 126 and spot light 130 functions of thelight source 30 can be used separately or together.

As shown in FIG. 15, the direction of the light source 30 may becontrolled by a remote control 134. The remote control 134 has a “home”button to reposition the head 26 to a predetermined position withrespect to the first and second axes 58, 70. In some embodiments, theremote control 134 can include a D-pad 138 with up, down, right and leftbuttons to control the rotation and pivotal movement of the head 26about the first and second axes 58, 70, respectively. The remote control134 can also include a power button 142 to control powering on and offof the light source 30. In some embodiments, power button 142 can alsocontrol the “home” function to reposition the head 26, as describedabove. In some embodiments, the remote control 134 includes a joystick(not shown) in addition to or in lieu of the D-pad 138 to control themovement of the head 26 and thereby the direction of the light source30. In some embodiments, the joystick or another button on the remotecontrol 134 can control the speed at which the head 26 rotates andpivots with respect to the first and second axes 58, 70. In someembodiments, there are two distinct speeds at which the head 26 canrotate and pivot: “Faster” or “Slower.” However, in other embodiments,the remote control provides for infinite control of speed within a speedrange defined by maximum and minimum speeds, allowing the operator touse a variety of different speeds within that range to rotate and pivotthe head 26. In some embodiments, the remote control 134 includes a modebutton 146 to allow an operator to choose spot light mode, flood lightmode, or simultaneous flood and spot light mode. In some embodiments,the remote control includes an intensity button 150 to control theluminescent intensity of the light source 30. In some embodiments, themount 18 includes the aforementioned controls of the remote control 134,so an operator can control the power to the light source 30, themovement of the head 26, the speed of rotation and pivoting, and themode and intensity of the light source 30 by operating the controls onthe mount 18. In some embodiments, the remote control 134 communicatesvia radio frequency with the light assembly 10 to control rotation ofthe head 26 about the first and second axes 58, 70. In some embodiments,the D-pad 138, power button 142, mode button 146, and intensity button150 are prevented from being inadvertently actuated, such that aninadvertent drop of the remote 134 which accidentally engages any of theD-pad 138, power button 142, mode button 146, and intensity button 150does not respective actuation. In some embodiments, the remote 134includes a toggle switch to turn the remote 134 off, such that none ofthe D-pad 138, power button 142, mode button 146, and intensity button150 may be actuated. In some embodiments, the remote 134 includes adepression that receives a snap clip, which can in turn be mounted on amount on, e.g., the vehicle's dash. In some embodiments, the remote 134includes a tether or lanyard to be, e.g., looped around an operator'swrist to prevent the remote 134 from being dropped or lost.

The light assembly 10 may also include a controller that allows thelocation of the light assembly 10 to be remotely tracked and/orcontrolled by a wireless device, such as a smartphone or laptop.Similarly, the light assembly 10 may be able to be “locked out” or shutdown remotely and wirelessly, to inhibit unauthorized use.

FIGS. 16-34 illustrate another embodiment of a light assembly. The lightassembly of FIGS. 16-34 includes a light head 152 (FIGS. 16, 18 and 20)having a base 154, a yoke 156, a handle 158, and a light 160. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, the light head 152 has a firsthousing portion 161 and a second housing portion 163. The first andsecond housing portions 161, 163 are partitioned along a partition line165 and a gasket 167 provides a waterproof seal between the first andsecond housing portions 161, 163. As shown in FIG. 60, only a portion ofthe gasket 167 lies along the partition line 165. In other embodiments,the gasket 167 does not intersect the partition line 165. The lightassembly of FIGS. 16-34 also includes a first base 162 (FIGS. 16 and17), a second base 166 (FIGS. 20-22), and a remote 134′ (FIG. 34) forwirelessly controlling the light 160. The light head 152 is removablysecurable to both the first base 162 and second base 166. The remote134′ is similar to the remote 134, with like elements designated with anapostrophe. In some embodiments, the light head 152 includes a pairingbutton that allows a smartphone to communicate with the light head 152to remotely track or secure the light head 152. In some embodiments, thepairing button allows the smartphone to communicate with the light head152 via Bluetooth.

As shown in FIG. 16, the first base 162 includes a base surface 170 fromwhich a plurality of fasteners 174 extend. Each of the fasteners 174includes a washer 178 and a nut 182. In operation, the fasteners 174 mayextend through a surface of a vehicle, after which the washers 178 andnuts 182 may be threaded onto the fasteners 174, such that the firstbase 162 is mounted to the surface of the vehicle. In some embodiments,the attachment with fasteners 174 may function as a permanent mountingarrangement, allowing the first base to be “secured to” the surface ofthe vehicle, such that the first base 162 is not removable from thesurface of the vehicle without the use of one or more tools. Withreference to FIG. 17, the first base 162 also includes a terminal 186and a mounting structure 190 opposite the base surface 170. The terminal186 is electrically connected to a conductor 194 that extends from thebase surface 170 and is configured to couple to a power source of thevehicle, such as a cigarette lighter receptacle or a vehicle battery.The mounting structure 190 includes a pair of rails 198, each with agroove 202 and a shoulder 206. The mounting structure 190 also includesa ramp 210 with a pair of grooves 214. In some embodiments, the firstbase 162 includes a security lock to lock the light head 152 to thefirst base 162 when the light head 152 is secured to the first base 162.In some embodiments, the security lock includes a security screw, abarrel lock, or a pad lock. By providing the security lock, theft oflight head 152 is deterred or prevented.

With reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the base 154 of the light head 152includes a terminal 218 in electrical communication with the light 160and a mounting structure 222 configured to mate with the mountingstructure 190 of the first base 162 to secure the light head 152 to thefirst base. The mounting structure 222 includes a first pair of rails226 configured to be received in the grooves 202 of the rails 198, asecond pair of rails 230 configured to be received in the grooves 214 ofthe ramp 210. The base 154 of the light head 152 also includes a ramp234. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 18-20, the light head 152 alsoincludes a pair of release actuators 238 that are biased out of the base154 of the light head 152 to a latched position. The release actuators238 each include a button portion 242 (FIGS. 16 and 20) and a latchportion 246 (FIGS. 18 and 19). The latch portions 246 each include abeveled edge 250 and a flat edge 254.

In operation, when an operator desires to secure the light head 152 tothe first base 162, the operator slides the mounting structure 222 ofthe light head 152 into engagement with the mounting structure 190 ofthe first base 162, causing the first pair of rails 226 to be receivedinto the grooves 202 of the rails 198 and the second pair of rails 230to be received in the grooves 214 of the ramp 210. As the light head 152is moved relative to the first base 162, the beveled edges 250 of thelatch portions 246 of the release actuators 238 slide along the rails198 of the mounting structure 222, causing the release actuators 238 tobe depressed into the base 154 of the light head 152, until the flatedges 254 of the latch portions of the release actuators 238 pass by theshoulders 206. At this point the release actuators 238 are biasedoutwardly to the latched position, such that the flat edges 254 arecaught against the shoulder 206, and the terminal 218 of the light head152 has mated with the terminal 186 of the first base 162.

As shown in FIG. 16, the light head 152 includes an indicator light 256to indicate that the terminal 218 of the light head 152 has engaged withthe terminal 186 of the first base 162. In some embodiments, theindicator light 256 can be used to indicate that a smartphone hasachieved a wireless connection with the light head 152. Because the flatedges 254 of the latch portions 246 are caught against the shoulders206, the light head 152 is inhibited from moving in a first directionthat would move the terminal 218 of the light head 152 away from theterminal 186 of the first base 162. Because the first pair of rails 226of the mounting structure 222 are caught in the grooves 202 and thesecond pair of rails 230 are caught in the grooves 214 of the ramp 210,the light head 152 is inhibited from moving in a second direction thatis perpendicular to base surface 170 and upward as viewed in FIG. 16. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the second direction of inhibited movementis perpendicular to the first direction of inhibited movement. Becausethe light head is inhibited from moving in both the first and seconddirections, the light head 152 is secured on the first base 162. Also,the light 160 is powered by the first base 162, via the conductor 194drawing power from the vehicle power source and mating connection ofterminals 186, 218. Once the light head 152 is secured on the first base162, the operator may optionally actuate the security lock to lock thelight head 152 to the first base 162, such that the light head 152cannot be removed from first base 162 until first unlocking the securitylock.

In operation, when an operator desires to remove the light head 152 fromthe first base 162, the operator presses and holds each of the buttonportions 242 of the release actuators 238, such that the flat edges 254move off of the shoulders 206 of the rails 198, thus moving the releaseactuators 328 from the latched position to an unlatched position. Whileholding the button portions 242, the operator slides the light head 152in the first direction, away from the terminal 186 of the first base162, causing the ramp 234 of the base 154 of light head 152 to slidealong the ramp 210 of the mounting structure 190 of the first base 162,making it easier for the operator to separate the light head 152 fromthe first base 162.

With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the second base 166 includes acontrol interface 258 for controlling the light head 152 when the lighthead 152 is secured to the second base 166. The control interface 258includes a power button 259, a mode button 260 for switching betweenspot light and flood light modes, and a flood intensity button 261 forswitching between high and low intensity modes. The second base 166 alsoincludes battery in a battery compartment 262 that is accessible via acompartment door 266. The compartment door 266 is secured shut via oneor more over-center latch mechanisms 270 and keeps the batterycompartment 262 dry and protected from the elements. As shown in FIG.21, the second base 166 includes a plurality of magnets 274, such thatthe second base 166 can be attached to and removed from the surface of avehicle without the use of tools, thus making the second base 166 moremobile and versatile than the first base 162. With reference to FIG. 22,the second base 166 includes a mounting structure 190′ that is identicalto the mounting structure 190 of the first base 162, with like elementsdesignated with an apostrophe, such that the light head 152 can besecured to and removed from the second base 166 in the exact same manneras the first base 162. The terminal 186 of the second base 166 is inelectrical communication with the battery of the second base 166, suchthat when the light head 152 is secured to the second base 166, thelight 160 is powered by the second base 166, via the battery and matingconnection of terminals 186, 218.

Thus, the light assembly of FIGS. 16-34 provides an operator with avariety of lighting options while working with one or more vehicles. Forinstance, the first base 162 may be permanently secured to one vehicleand the second base 166 may be quickly switchable between being securedto a variety of different vehicles via the magnets 274. The operator isthus afforded greater versatility when desiring to use the light head152, because the light head 152 mounts in the same manner to both thefirst and second bases 162, 166.

With reference again to FIGS. 16 and 18, the yoke 156 of the light head152 includes first and second arms 278, 280 that couple the light 160 tothe yoke 156, and permit the light 160 to rotate about a firstrotational axis 282 with respect to the yoke 156, as explained infurther detail below. With reference to FIGS. 23-25, the yoke includes afirst motor 286 to rotate the light 160 with respect to the yoke 156about the first rotational axis 282 and a second motor 290 to rotate theyoke 156 with respect to the base 154 about a second rotational axis294. Like the light 160, the first and second motors 286, 290 draw powerfrom the first and second bases 162, 166, depending on which base thelight head 152 is secured to. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a drive shaft296 extends from the first motor 286 and is received by a clutch 297,which in turn drives a pinion 298. The clutch 297 may prevent damage tothe light head 152 when an operator user adjusts the light head 154 byhand. The pinion 298 is engaged with a gear train 302 terminating in anoutput gear 306 and arranged in the first arm 278. As shown in FIGS. 24and 26, the output gear 306 drivingly engages an axle 310 of the light160 that defines the first rotational axis 282, thus permitting thelight 160 to rotate about the first rotational axis 282 with respect tothe yoke 156. With reference to FIGS. 23 and 25, the second motor 290drivingly engages a yoke gear 314 to which the yoke 156 is coupled forrotation and that defines the second rotational axis 294. The yoke gear314 is arranged about a conduit 318 permitting passage of a conductor322 that electrically couples the terminal 218 to the first motor 286,the second motor 290, and the light 160. As shown in FIG. 25, anotherconductor 326 extends through the second arm 280 to transmit power tothe light 160.

As shown in FIGS. 26-28, the light 160 includes a heat sink 330 with aplurality of fins 334. The light 160 also includes a printed circuitboard (PCB) 338 with a plurality of spot light emitting diodes 342(LEDs) and flood light LEDs 344 mounted thereon. In some embodiments thespot light LEDs 342 and flood light LEDs 344 can be controlledindependently of one another, allowing independent control of floodlight and spot light modes, or simultaneous of use of both modes. Thelight further includes a reflector 346, a lens piece 350, and a cover354 to secure the lens piece 350, the reflector 346, and the PCB 338 tothe heat sink 330. In some embodiments, the reflector 346 and lens piece350 are formed as one piece. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the reflector346 includes a plurality of cups 358 with apertures 362 to accommodatethe spot light LEDs 342 and four corner pockets 364 with apertures 365to allow passage of light from the flood light LEDs 344. As shown inFIG. 28, the cups 358 have a truncated frustoconical cross-sectionalshape. As shown in FIGS. 26-28 and 31-33, the lens piece 350 has a flat,outward-facing face 362 and an opposite face 366 with a plurality oftotal internal reflection (TIR) lenses 370. Like the cups 358 of thereflector 346, the TIR lenses 370 of the lens piece 350 have apertures374 to accommodate the spot light LEDs and a truncated frustoconicalcross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the TIR lenses 370are arranged in an array of columns and rows. In the illustratedembodiment, the TIR lenses 370 are all integrally molded or formed fromthe same piece of material as the lens piece 350. In other embodiments,each individual TIR lens 370 may be formed separate and distinct fromevery other TIR lens 370.

FIGS. 35-58 illustrate seven different embodiments of alternativemounting structures of the light head 152 and the first and second bases162, 166. For purposes of illustration, the light head 152 in theembodiments of FIGS. 35-58 is only shown being secured in the first base162, but as described above, because the second base 166 has the samemounting structure as the first base 162, the light head 152 can also besecured in the second base 166 in a similar manner as in the first base162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 35-37, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 378 including a plurality of snap latches 382 withhooks 386 that are biased inwardly. The first base 162 includes amounting structure 390 that includes a plurality of recesses 394configured to catch the hooks 386 of the snap latches 382. In operation,the light head 152 is installed by pushing the light head 152 downwardlyinto the first base 162, causing the snap latches 382 to move outwardlyalong the first base 162 until the hooks 386 are biased into therecesses 394, as shown in FIG. 36, at which point the light head 152 issecured in the first base 162. To release the light head 152, anoperator depresses a release actuator 398, causing the snap latches 382to move outwardly as shown in FIG. 37, such that the hooks 386 are nolonger caught in recesses 394. The operator then lifts the light head152 away from and out of the first base 162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-41, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 402 including a plurality of recesses 406. The firstbase 162 includes a mounting structure 410 that includes a plurality oflatches 414 with hooks 418 configured to engage the recesses 406 of themounting structure 402 and actuators 420 to pull the hooks 418 into alatched condition and release the hooks 418 from the latched condition.In some embodiments, the latches 414 are over-center full lengthlatches. In operation, the light head 152 is installed by pushing thelight head 152 into the first base 162. The operator then manuallymanipulates the hooks 418 of the latches 414 such that the hooks 418engage the recesses 406 and then manipulates the actuators 420 to pullthe hooks 418 tautly into the recesses 418, as shown in FIG. 39, atwhich point the light head 152 is secured in the first base 162, asshown in FIG. 40. To release the light head 152, an operator releasesthe actuators 420, thus removing the hooks 418 from the recesses 406, asshown in FIG. 41. The operator then lifts the light head 152 away fromthe first base 162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 42-45, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 424 including an extension 428. The first base 162includes a mounting structure 432 that includes a movable collar 436that is biased away from the first base 162 to a locked position, and aslide switch 440. In operation, the light head 152 is installed into thefirst base 162 by pushing the extension 428 into the collar 436. The actof pushing down the light head 152 pushes the collar 436 down into anunlocked position, thus allowing the collar to receive the extension428. Once the extension 428 is secured within the collar 436, the collar436 is biased back to its locked position 428, as shown in FIG. 43. Atthis point, the light head 152 cannot be removed from the first base 162because the extension 428 is locked by the collar 436. In order toremove the light head 152 from the first base 162, the operator firstslides the slide switch 440 as indicated in FIG. 44, thus allowing thecollar 436 to be moved to the unlocked position. The operator then pullsthe collar 436 down to the unlocked position, as indicated in FIG. 45.While holding the collar 436 in the unlocked position, the operator thenpulls the light head 152 away from the first base 162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 46-49, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 444 with a first lip 448 and a second opposite lip452 having the terminal 218. The first base 162 has a mounting structure456 having a latch 460 and a recess 464 with the terminal 186. Inoperation, the light head 152 is installed into by inserting the slidingthe second lip 452 toward and into the recess 464, such that theterminals 186, 218 mate. The latch 460 is then swung up to secure thefirst lip 448, as shown in FIG. 47. The light head 152 is now secured inthe first base 152, as shown in FIG. 48, with the mounting structures444, 456 mating like a ski boot attaches to a ski. To release the lighthead 152, the latch 460 is swung away from the first lip 448, as shownin FIG. 49, and the second lip 452 is slid out of the recess 464.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 50-53, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 468 with apertures 472 in the base 154. The firstbase 162 has a mounting structure 476 having a slideable shelf 480coupled to the first base 162 by two bolts 484 that extend into a recess488 of the first base 162 when the shelf 480 abuts the first base 162 ina locked position. In some embodiments, the bolts 484 are dead bolts. Inoperation, to install the light head 152, the shelf 480 is first slidaway from the first base 162 to an unlocked position, as shown in FIG.50, resulting in the bolts 484 exiting recess 488. The operator may nowmove the base 154 of the light head 152 into the recess 488, such thatthe apertures 472 are aligned with the bolts 484. The operator thenmoves the shelf 480 towards the locked position, as shown in FIG. 51.Once the shelf 480 abuts the first base 162 in the locked position asshown in FIG. 52, the bolts 484 are received in the apertures 472, thussecuring the light head 152 to the first base 162. In order to removethe light head 152, the shelf 480 is slid outwardly to the unlockedposition as shown in FIG. 53, thus removing the bolts 484 from theapertures 472. The operator then lifts the light head 152 out of thefirst base 162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, the light head 152 includesa mounting structure 492 with a pair of radially outward extending pegs496. The first base 162 includes a mounting structure 500 with a pair ofradially outward extending recesses 504 at a first height and a pair ofadjoining, circumferential slots 508 at a second, lower height. In orderto install the light head 152, the operator pushes the light head 152into the first base 162, aligning the pegs 496 with the recesses 504.Once the pegs 496 have moved through the recesses 504 and into thecircumferential slots 508, the operator rotates the light head 152 in afirst direction 510 (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 54), such that the pegs496 become caught under an upper ceiling 512 of the slots 508. Theoperator continues rotating the light head 152 until the base 154 snapsinto engagement with a lock in the first base 162. The light head 152 isnow secured to the first base 162, as shown in FIG. 55. To remove thelight head 152, the operator presses a release actuator 516, whichdisengages the lock in the first base 162. The operator may now rotatethe light head 152 a second opposite direction 518 (counterclockwise asviewed in FIG. 54) until the pegs 496 are aligned with the recesses 504,at which point the light head 152 may be lifted out of the first base162.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 56-58, the light head 152 includes amounting structure 520 that includes a bar 524 and a pair of rails 528and the first base 162 includes a mounting structure 532 that includes apair of grooves 536 and a latch mechanism 540. In order to install thelight head 152, the light head 152 is slid into the first base 162 asshown in FIG. 56, while, aligning the rails 528 into the grooves 536.Once slid in, the latch mechanism 540 engages the bar 524, therebyinhibiting removal of the light head 152 from the first base 162, asshown in FIG. 57. In order to remove the light head 152, the operatordepresses a release actuator 544, which disengages the latch mechanism540 from the bar 524 and allows the light head 152 to be slid out of thefirst base 162, as shown in FIG. 58.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light assembly for attachment to a surface of avehicle, the light assembly comprising: a light head including a lightincluding a flood light mode and a spot light mode; a light headterminal in electrical communication with the light, and a firstmounting structure; a vehicle base configured to be removably coupled tothe surface of the vehicle, the vehicle base including a secondstructure configured to mate with the first mounting structure such thatthe light head can be removably secured on the vehicle base, a baseterminal configured to mate with the terminal of the light head toprovide power to the light when the light head is secured on the vehiclebase; and a remote to wirelessly control the light, wherein the light isrotatable relative to the vehicle base about a first axis and about asecond axis that is different from the first axis while the light headis secured on the vehicle base, and wherein the remote is configured tocontrol rotation of the light about the first and second axes and tocontrol operation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode. 2.The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light includes a plurality oflight emitting diodes and a lens, and wherein the lens has a pluralityof total internal reflection lenses.
 3. The light assembly of claim 1,wherein the light head includes a light head base and a yoke, whereinthe light is rotatable relative to the yoke about the first axis, andwherein the yoke is rotatable relative to the light head base about thesecond axis.
 4. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the remoteincludes a power button to turn the light on and off.
 5. The lightassembly of claim 4, wherein the remote includes a D-pad to controlrotation of the light about the first and second axes.
 6. The lightassembly of claim 5, wherein the remote includes a mode button tocontrol operation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode. 7.The light assembly of claim 6, wherein the remote includes a toggleswitch to turn the remote on and off, such that when the remote is inthe off state, the power button is prevented from turning the light onand off, the D-pad is prevented from rotating the light about the firstand second axes, and the mode button is prevented from controllingoperation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode.
 8. The lightassembly of claim 1, wherein the remote is configured to control a speedat which the light rotates about the first and second axes.
 9. The lightassembly of claim 7, wherein the remote includes a joystick to controlrotation of the light about the first and second axes and to control thespeed at which the light rotates about the first and second axes. 10.The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the remote includes a home buttonconfigured to move the light to a predetermined positioned position withrespect to the first and second axes.
 11. A light assembly forattachment to a surface of a vehicle, the light assembly comprising: alight head including a light including a plurality of light emittingdiodes and a lens, the lens having a plurality of total internalreflection lenses; a light head terminal in electrical communicationwith the light, and a first mounting structure; a vehicle baseconfigured to be coupled to the surface of the vehicle, the vehicle baseincluding a second structure configured to mate with the first mountingstructure such that the light head can be removably secured on thevehicle base, a base terminal configured to mate with the terminal ofthe light head to provide power to the light when the light head issecured on the vehicle base; and a remote to wirelessly control thelight.
 12. The light assembly of claim 11, wherein the light includes aflood light mode and a spot light mode, and wherein the remote isconfigured to wirelessly control operation of the flood light mode andthe spot light mode.
 13. The light assembly of claim 12, wherein theremote includes a power button to turn the light on and off and a modebutton to control operation of the flood light mode and the spot lightmode.
 14. The light assembly of claim 13, wherein the remote includes atoggle switch to turn the remote on and off, such that when the remoteis in the off state, the power button is prevented from turning thelight on and off, and the mode button is prevented from controllingoperation of the flood light mode and the spot light mode.
 15. The lightassembly of claim 11, wherein each total internal reflection lens has atruncated frustoconical cross-sectional shape.
 16. A light assembly forattachment to a surface of a vehicle, the light assembly comprising: avehicle base configured to be coupled to the surface of the vehicle; anda light including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a lens, thelens having a plurality of total internal reflection lenses, wherein thelight is rotatable relative to the vehicle base about a first axis andabout a second axis that is different from the first axis.
 17. The lightassembly of claim 16, further comprising a yoke, wherein the light isrotatable relative to the yoke about the first axis, and wherein theyoke is rotatable relative to the vehicle base about the second axis.18. The light assembly of claim 16, wherein each total internalreflection lens has a truncated frustoconical cross-sectional shape. 19.The light assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of total internalreflection lenses are integrally molded as part of the lens.
 20. Thelight assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of total internalreflection lenses is arranged in an array of rows.